Proper Science

Those who spread misinformation love to use this catchphrase: "I did my own research!" But what is research, really? What is the kind of research that scientists do? How is that different from the kind of research that peddlers of fake science do? Find out in today's episode of Proper Science. Subscribe to the podcast in Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or on your favourite podcast app! Do you have a science question waiting for an answer? Send a message here and we'll talk about that question in the next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/support

We're not just fighting off COVID-19. This pandemic has brought in a new breed of adversary called the 'infodemic', composed of loads of misinformation scattered across social media, dodgy websites, private messaging groups, and more. Now, finding the correct information on COVID-19, vaccines, and everything related to them is a lot harder. But it doesn't have to be if you know what information to find. In today's episode of Proper Science, Dr Amiel Villanueva (our previous guest) will guide you in finding accurate COVID-19 information while avoiding the wrong information about it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/support

COVID-19 is a scary disease, but there is hope in the form of vaccines. Lots of COVID vaccines are now available, offering excellent protection against the ill effects of SARS-CoV-2. Despite that, so many people are still hesitant to get vaccinated. Let's dispel some misconceptions about these vaccines, shall we? For the first time ever in the history of Proper Science, we are having a guest on our show! Dr. Amiel Villanueva, an internal medicine physician from the Philippine General Hospital, shares his expertise and answers many common questions people have about the COVID vaccines. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/support

Many individuals and groups, including some medical doctors, are pushing for the use of ivermectin against COVID-19. The drug is a common anti-parasitic used to treat roundworm infections, but they say it also works well against SARS-CoV-2. They even have evidence to back their claims. How reliable is this evidence? Is it true that ivermectin is a good alternative treatment for COVID-19? Find out more in today's episode of Proper Science. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/support

There have been rumours spreading online that the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna can completely rewrite your genetic code. With that, you should not take these vaccines. But is it true? Let's pick apart this claim with a dose of molecular biology. Today's episode of Proper Science will answer the question: Can mRNA vaccines alter your genetic code? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/support

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/support

Every major media outlet is now saturated with news about the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has just become so overwhelming that it's become easy to forget how it ended up this way. In today's episode of Proper Science, we will look back at the origins of the pandemic and how we got to where we are now. This episode is part of a Proper Science series on COVID-19. Make sure to catch the next episodes for more properly scientific tidbits about this pandemic we are struggling against. This fight is far from over, but I firmly believe we will emerge victorious at the end of it. In the meantime, let's stay in our homes and keep on listening to reliable sources of information. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

In this follow-up to the first vaccines episode (http://bit.ly/VAcC1), we'll take a look at a concept called Herd Immunity. Let's see how it can protect others around us when we are vaccinated. Further reading: What is herd immunity and how does it work? https://www.ovg.ox.ac.uk/news/herd-immunity-how-does-it-work PS: Follow us on social media for more science! Facebook: https://facebook.com/thefakebrit Twitter: https://twitter.com/_thefakebrit --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Merry Christmas! Here we are again in the season of gift giving. And with gift giving comes gift wrapping. We always love to make those presents look fancy, but the environment is not quite happy about that. How, then, can we celebrate a more environmentally friendly holiday season? Find out in today's episode of Proper Science. I referenced a previous episode (Are Plastics the Big Problem?) in the show. To listen to it, click here: http://bit.ly/plastic1ps CORRECTION: I said in this episode that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the size of France, but it's really bigger. It is three times bigger than France, in fact. You'll hear that said in the Plastics episode above. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

The "Triangle of Life" is purported to be the best earthquake survival technique available. It claims near-100% survivability in any strong tremor, but is it really true? Let's look at the science behind it. Further Reading (click the links to find out more): HowStuffWorks - The Triangle of Life Myth US Geological Survey - Triangle of Life --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Vaccines. Many people love them but some people hate them. Before we get into that debate though, first things first. Let's have a look at what vaccines are and how they work. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Tis the season to get that Starbucks planner! But have you really considered if it's worth it? In this episode, a little mathematics will tell you the answer. Merry Christmas and keep chasing the real science! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

There is still a lot of fear-mongering around genetically modified organisms or GMOs. But here, we present the truth behind them. The good side of them. And why they can actually be your friends too. Further reading: 1. Plant breeding: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zgq96yc/revision/9 2. Bt corn and Bt toxins: http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/how_bt_work.html 3. Sub1A and Submergence-tolerant rice: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature04920 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

A lot of health buffs are saying that organic food is the way to go. Never mind the rest; stop buying the typical supermarket stock. Organic will save us all. But will it, really? Find out the truth about "organic" and misconceptions about this idea. You'll never look at "organic" food the same way again. Further reading: 1. Amanita phalloides (Death Cap) poisoning: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26375431 2. Botulinum toxin: http://medind.nic.in/jaw/t09/i2/jawt09i2p10.pdf 3. Ricin: https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/ricin/facts.asp --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Or is it? People like climate change deniers dismiss principles like global warming as "just theories", and that's their basis for claiming such things are not true. However, science begs to disagree. It's all a misunderstanding. Really, it is. Today's episode tells you why, as well as how to understand a scientific theory the right way. It is never "just a theory". It's more than that. Sources for further reading: 1. About scientific theories: https://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/howscienceworks_19 2. Different evidences for climate change: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Alkaline water is another health craze sweeping the globe. It may even be in your community; just look at your local water refiller. They might be selling you alkaline water. It's more expensive thanks to its list of health claims that seem too good to be true. In this episode, we will debunk the not-so dark secret behind alkaline water. Hint: your body does its job well enough, and alkaline water isn't much help. Additional reading: Check out the article linked below for more information on why alkaline water is likely just a waste of money. The article includes an interview with two real doctors: David Seres of Columbia University Medical Center and Marc Hellerstein of University of California, Berkeley. http://bit.ly/AlkWaterVice --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

It has been said that fruits should be eaten first before other food in a meal. This, they say, is to maximise the nutrients absorbed by the body. But this isn't quite the truth. Eating fruit first during meals serves a very different purpose. BGM: Rocket by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Welcome to the Proper Science Podcast, where we debunk science myths with science facts! People love to hate plastics. Truly, it does contribute a lot to our growing rubbish problem. However, is plastic in itself really the culprit? Find out in today's episode of Proper Science. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BGM: Ultra Deep Field (Stellardrone) https://stellardrone.bandcamp.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Welcome to the Proper Science Podcast, where we debunk science myths with science facts! Some people say that a "good" way of losing weight is through abstaining from all carbohydrates. Is that really a sound way of losing weight? Time to find out. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Welcome to the Proper Science Podcast, where we debunk science myths with science facts! Why do we get sick when it's cold outside? Find out in this episode of Proper Science. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message

Welcome to the Proper Science Podcast, where we debunk science myths with science facts! Coffee and Vitamin C. What's the connection? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/proper-science-podcast/message